Sometimes shorter is better, and other times we are thankful for a longer version of a story to tie up the loose ends. In either case, the book of Mark has a unique ending that can leave us pondering. Perhaps the earliest followers wanted more from Mark, and so they improvised with an alternate ending to give more details that line up with other texts. If it’s part of the Holy Scriptures at all, I trust it to be there by God’s hand, even if the change in style seems slightly obvious.
Even the short ending gives us the only message we need. The angel told the women, “He is risen from the dead!” Imagine hearing those words when you were expecting to be preparing Jesus’ dead body for proper burial. There hadn’t been time on the day of his crucifixion, but apparently it was no longer necessary. Continue reading “Mark 16:1-20 – He is Risen!”
